Cornrow to Hit Line Hard in 2014 Vain Stakes

One of the country’s most consistent two-year-olds through the 2014 Autumn Carnival, Cornrow will resume at Caulfield this afternoon in the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m), but will have to overcome the wide and relatively awkward barrier 11 if to secure a maiden race win.

Securing a total of five minor places over his seven competitive starts so far, Cornrow figured in competitive position in all but one race; the Golden Slipper on April 5th, securing third place finishes in both the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) and Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) most notably.

Confirmed to partner the Duporth colt for the first time in the 2014 Vain Stakes, up-and-coming jockey Chad Schofield said he was thrilled with the form Cornrow showed in a hit-out last week, but is less impressed in being allocated barrier 11.

“He is a very good colt,” Schofield told Racing Ahead on Friday.

“I have only ridden him the once before and he is a very big, strong and powerful horse who I cannot wait to ride over a mile.

“I am disappointed with the barrier tomorrow and it limits our options first-up.

“I might have to go back, but as long as he can hit the line really hard and show that he is in for a good prep I will be really happy.”

Running on to finish third in the Inglis Banner Open (1000m) on debut in October last year, Cornrow stamped his claims as one to watch in his first run in 2013; finishing second to Mohave in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview C&G (1000m) on January 25th.

Unlucky to be blocked for a run when fifth in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) on February 5th, the colt out of Baby Corn displayed a keen turn of foot to finish only two lengths off the pace of Earthquake in the Blue Diamond Stakes; again finishing third in the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) on March 22nd; his only other run prior to the Golden Slipper.

Confirmed alongside eleven other three-year-old colts and geldings for the 2014 Vain Stakes, Cornrow is currently available at generous odds of $14 for success or $4 to run a place with leading online bookie Ladbrokes.com.au.

Ladbrokes.com.au is currently displaying the best odds on all races at Caulfield this afternoon, and is offering all punters a bonus bet of up to $50 if their runner finishes second in the featured P.B. Lawrence Stakes!